Latching structure of tonneau cover

ABSTRACT

A truck cover system includes a rail coupled to a wall of the truck, wherein the rail comprises a channel on a top portion of the rail and a latching slot at a side of the rail, wherein the channel extends along a longitudinal direction of the rail and is configured to couple to a cover, and the latching slot extends along the longitudinal direction of the rail; a latching insert inserted in the latching slot, wherein the latching insert comprises a first through hole and a positioning hole; a latching positioner fastened to the latching insert, wherein the latching positioner comprises a second through hole aligned with the first through hole and a positioning pin aligned with the positioning hole; a latching housing releasably latched to the latching positioner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority to and benefits of Chinese PatentApplication No. 202021773296.8, filed on Aug. 21, 2020, entitled with“Framework for Tonneau Cover,” and Chinese Patent Application No.202010849997.3, filed on Aug. 21, 2020, entitled with “Framework forTonneau Cover,” which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Truck cover system are often used to protect cargo beds of pickuptrucks. Cover systems often cover all or a portion of the cargo bed suchthat any items stored and/or hauled in the cargo bed are protected fromoutside elements, as well as theft. Many conventional cover systems arereleasably latched at the tailgate to a side rail of the truck to keepthe cover in a tensioned configuration. To facilitate access to thecargo bed, the latching structure of the cover system may be easilyreleased. Conventional cover systembi involves many inadequacies.Improved cover systems are desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A truck cover system is proposed according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. The truck cover system includes: a rail coupled to awall of the truck, wherein the rail includes a channel on a top portionof the rail and a latching slot at a side of the rail, wherein thechannel extends along a longitudinal direction of the rail and isconfigured to couple to a cover, and the latching slot extends along thelongitudinal direction of the rail. The truck cover system furtherincludes a latching insert inserted in the latching slot, wherein thelatching insert includes a first through hole and a positioning hole.The truck cover system includes a latching positioner fastened to thelatching insert, wherein the latching positioner includes a secondthrough hole aligned with the first through hole and a positioning pinaligned with the positioning hole. The truck cover system furtherincludes a latching housing releasably latched to the latchingpositioner.

According to some embodiments, the first through hole and thepositioning hole are disposed along a longitudinal direction of thelatching insert and are spaced apart from each other.

According to some embodiments, the first through hole and thepositioning hole are disposed along a direction perpendicular to alongitudinal direction of the latching insert and are spaced apart fromeach other.

According to some embodiments, the latching insert comprises a pluralityof the first through holes and a plurality of the positioning holes.

According to some embodiments, the truck cover system further includes abolt passing through the first through hole and the second through hole,and a nut engaging with the bolt.

According to some embodiments, the positioning hole comprises a throughhole.

According to some embodiments, the positioning hole comprises a blindhole.

According to some embodiments, the positioning hole has a diameterdifferent from that of the first through hole.

According to some embodiments, the positioning hole has the samediameter as that of the first through hole.

According to some embodiments, wherein the latching slot comprises anupper lip and a lower lip defining an opening therebetween, wherein thebolt passes through the opening.

According to some embodiments, the lower lip extends along a verticaldirection, and the upper lip slants from the vertical direction.

According to some embodiments, the latching positioner comprises a slantengaging surface that engages with the upper lip of the latching slot.

According to some embodiments, the latching housing comprises a latchingend, and the latching positioner comprises a latching surface at an endof the latching positioner, wherein the latching end engages thelatching surface.

According to some embodiments, the latching end comprises a fingerengaging the latching surface.

According to some embodiments, the latching surface comprises aprotrusion at a top portion thereof.

According to some embodiments, the latching surface comprises a concavesurface.

According to some embodiments, the latching housing comprises a latchingtongue releasably engaged in the latching slot of the rail.

According to some embodiments, the latching insert comprises a recess toreceive the latching tongue.

According to some embodiments, the latching housing comprises a latchingpin coupled to the latching tongue through a spring.

According to some embodiments, the first through hole comprises acountersink to receive a head of the bolt.

Numerous benefits are achieved by way of the present invention overconventional techniques. For example, embodiments of the presentinvention provide a truck cover system that can improve the releasablylatching of the cover in the extended configuration. For someembodiments, the cooperation between the latching housing and thelatching positioner may be conveniently adjusted to vary the tensionapplied to the cover. The latching surface of the latching positionercan prevent the latching housing from slipping off in operation. Forsome embodiments, the positioning pin can make sure the latching housingand the latching positioner to be readily aligned. These and otherembodiments of the invention along with many of its advantages andfeatures are described in more detail in conjunction with the text belowand attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the present disclosure, thatdescribe exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The drawingstogether with the specification will explain the principles of theinvention. The following diagrams are merely examples, which should notunduly limit the scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill inthe art would recognize many other variations, modifications, andalternatives. It is also understood that the examples and embodimentsdescribed herein are for illustrative purposes only and that variousmodifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to personsskilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purviewof this process and scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a truck with a coversystem according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of a latching system accordingto embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of a latching system according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latching positioner according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the latching system according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the latching system according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view of the latching systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to truck bed cover systems.

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. These embodiments are only exemplary of the presentinvention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise descriptionof these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementationmay not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual implementation, as in anyengineering or design project, numerous implementation-specificdecisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, suchas compliance with system-related and business-related constraints,which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it shouldbe appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and timeconsuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design,fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having thebenefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a truck 10 with a truckcover system 12. As illustrated, the cover system 12 covers thecompartment 14 formed by the truck bed 16 to protect an interior of thetruck bed 16 and items that may be stored in the compartment 14. Forexample, the cover system 12 may block dirt and precipitation fromentering the truck bed 16.

The cover system 12 includes a cover 18 (e.g., flexible cover) thatextends over the compartment 14. The cover 18 may be made out of avariety of materials including fabric, plastic (e.g., vinyl), etc. Thecover 18 couples to the truck bed 16 with rails 20 that in turn coupleto truck walls 22 (e.g., truck bed walls). To block removal of the cover18 and/or access to the truck bed 16, the cover system 12 includes oneor more latch systems 24. For example, the cover system 12 may includetwo latch systems 24 one at each corner of the truck bed 16 next to thetailgate 26. In operation, the latch systems 24 couple to the rails 20to tension/pull the cover 18 into an extended position (e.g., tensionedconfiguration) that facilitates the flow of precipitation off of thecover system 12 as well as enhancing the aesthetic appearance of thecover system 12.

FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the latch system 24according to some embodiments. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows rail20 used as the left rail if viewing in the driving direction of thetruck. In some embodiments, the right rail of the cover system is amirror image of rail 20 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, rail 20extends in a longitudinal direction for a predetermined length. Itshould be noted that the longitudinal direction may refer to thedirection parallel with the longitudinal direction of the truck. In someembodiments, rail 20 may include a channel 210 disposed on the topportion of rail 20. In some embodiments, channel 210 extends in thelongitudinal direction of rail 20. In some embodiments, channel 210 isinclined outward away from the horizontal direction. In this case, theinner side (adjacent to the compartment 14 of the truck bed 16) of thechannel 210 is higher than the outer side of channel 210, whichfacilitates the falling off of the precipitation on the cover attachedto rail 20. In some embodiments, channel 210 may include retainingmembers 212 disposed on the opposite sides thereof. In some embodiments,channel 210 is configured to couple to cover 18 (not shown). In someembodiments, a fastening system (e.g., a hook and loop fastening system)may be disposed in channel 210 to secure cover 18 (not shown) in theextended configuration. In this case, a corresponding fastening systemmay be attached to cover 18 to fasten cover 18 to rail 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, rail 20 may include a latching slot 220 alsoextending in the longitudinal direction of rail 20. In some embodiments,latching slot 220 may include an upper lip 222 and a lower lip 224, forexample, at the side adjacent to compartment 14. In some embodiments,upper lip 222 is disposed to incline away from the hollow inner portionof latching slot 220. For example, upper lip 222 is inclined toward theinner side of the truck bed. In some embodiment, the inclined upper lip222 may engage a corresponding inclined surface 254 on a latching insert250 (which is described below in detail) to improve the engagement. Insome embodiments, lower lip 224 may extend vertically to improvepositioning between rail 20 and latching positioner 250. It should benoted that the horizontal and/or vertical direction refers to thehorizontal and/or direction when the truck is in normal operation. Forexample, the horizontal direction refers to a direction that is parallelwith a driving surface on which the truck is driven, while the verticaldirection refers to a direction perpendicular to the driving surface. Insome embodiments, latching slot 220 defines an opening 223 between upperlip 222 and lower lip 224. The dimension of the opening 223 betweenupper lip 222 and lower lip 224 is reduced compared with the dimensionof the cross-section of latching slot 220 due to the opposite extensionof upper lip 222 and lower lip 224, thereby providing a retainingstructure for latching positioner 250. In this case, latching slot 220can secure latching system 24 in position to tension cover 18 (notshown) in the extended configuration.

In some embodiments, latching system 24 may include a latching housing230, a latching insert 240 inserted into latching slot 220, and alatching positioner 250 fastened to latching insert 240 through latchingslot 220. In some embodiments, at least a part of latching insert 240slides from one end of rail 20 into latching slot 220. For example, apart of latching insert 240 slides from the rear end of rail 20 adjacentto the tailgate of the truck into latching slot 220.

Latching positioner 250 is fastened to latching insert 240 usingfasteners. In some embodiments, latching positioner 250 also providesalignment indicia to facilitate alignment of the latching positioners250 at the two corners of the truck bed, whereby evenly tensioning cover18. In some embodiments, latching positioner 250 also providesadjustment to the position of the end portion of cover 18, wherebyproviding different tensioning to cover 18. The details of thestructures of latching positioner 250 and latching insert 240 aredescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 2, latching positioner 250 may include a latchingsurface 252 at one end thereof, which receives an end of the latchinghousing 240 to provide a tensioning effect to cover 18 (not shown). Insome embodiments, the upper portion of latching surface 252 may includea small protrusion 259 (shown in FIG. 4) to improve the latching effectwith latching housing 230. Latching positioner 250 may include an inwardinclined surface 254 on a side engaging latching slot 220. For example,the side engaging latching slot 220 may be the outer side distant fromthe compartment 14 of the truck bed 16 (shown in FIG. 1). The inwardinclined surface 254 may engage upper lip 222 of latching slot 220 inthe assembled state of the latching system 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, latching housing 230 may include a latching tongue232 driven by a latching pin 233. In some embodiments, a spring (notshown) is sleeved on the latching pin 233 to provide a driving force tolatching pin 233. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows the latchingsystem 24 in the unlatched position, where the latching tongue 232 isdriven by the spring to an extended position. Latching tongue 232 maysnap into latching slot 220 to retain latching housing 230 in positionwhen tensioning cover 18 (not shown) to the extended configuration toprevent unintentional release of the latching housing 230 from latchingpositioner 250. When it is desired to release latching housing 230 fromlatching positioner 250 in order to store cover 18 in a stowed position,one can drive latching pin 233 to retract latching tongue 232 out oflatching slot 220.

As shown in FIG. 2, latching housing 230 may include a latching end 234,which may engage latching surface 252 of latching positioner 250. Forexample, latching end 234 may be the front end of latching housing 230.In some embodiments not shown, latching end 234 may include a finger onthe top portion thereof, which may facilitate the latching effectbetween latching end 234 and latching surface 252. In some embodiments,the latching effect is further improved when latching end 234 includesthe finger, and latching surface 252 includes the protrusion 259 (shownin FIG. 4).

FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of latching system 24,illustrating latching positioner 250 and latching insert 240. As shownin FIG. 3, latching insert 240 may include an end plate 242 at one endthereof, and an insert body 244 extending from end plate 242. Forexample, end plate 242 may be disposed at the rear end of latchinginsert 240, while insert body 244 may extend in the longitudinaldirection of rail 20 (shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, end plate242 may cover the end of rail 20 to prevent debris or other foreignmaterials from entering into latching slot 220 of rail 20. In someembodiments, latching insert 240 may be formed as a one-piece structureto improve its strength. In some other embodiments, end plate 242 andinsert body 244 may be formed separately. Then end plate 242 and insertbody 244 may be coupled together using adhesive or glue. In someembodiments, endplate 242 and insert body 244 may also be coupledtogether using welding or soldering processes. In some embodiments,additional components may be disposed on end plate 242 to provideadditional functions. For example, a reinforcing stub 241 may extendfrom end plate 242, which may slide into a corresponding slot disposedin rail 20 to provide additional structural reinforcement. In someembodiments, the cross-section of insert body 244 may conform with thecross-section of latching slot 220 (shown in FIG. 2) and can fit in thelatching slot 220. Insert body 244 may include an engaging surface 245that may engage upper lip 222 and lower lip 224 of latching slot 220when insert body 244 slides into latching slot 220.

As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 246 is disposed in insert body 244that is opened from engaging surface 245. In some embodiments, throughhole 246 may extend horizontally in a crosswise direction when latchingsystem 24 is in operation. In some embodiments, a positioning hole 247is disposed in insert body 244. In some embodiments, positioning hole247 is disposed side by side with through hole 246 along thelongitudinal direction of latching insert 240, that is along thelongitudinal direction of rail 20, and spaced apart from each other. Insome embodiments not shown, positioning hole 247 may be disposed side byside with through hole 246 along a direction perpendicular with thelongitudinal direction of latching insert 240 and are spaced apart fromeach other. It should be noted that the relative position betweenthrough hole 246 and positioning hole 247 may vary as appropriateaccording to particular applications, and it should not be limited tothe positions as shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, positioning hole 247 may be designed as a throughhole. In some other embodiments, positioning hole 247 may be designed asa blind hole opened from engaging surface 245. In some embodiments,positioning hole 247 may have a diameter different from that of throughhole 246. In some other embodiments, positioning hole 247 may have thesame diameter as that of through hole 246. In some embodiments, thedistance of through hole 246 from end plate 242 may be designedaccording to the particular applications. In some embodiments not shown,insert body 244 may include a plurality of through holes 246 spacedapart from each other along the longitudinal direction of latchinginsert 240. In such case, insert body 244 provide different positioningfor latching positioner 250 along the longitudinal direction of rail 20.In some embodiments not shown that includes a plurality of through holes246, one through hole 246 may be used as the positioning hole for theadjacent through hole 246, provided the distance between through holes246 remain the same. In some embodiments not shown that includes aplurality of through holes 246, insert body 244 may also include aplurality of positioning holes 247. In such case, each through hole 246may have its own positioning hole 247. In such case, a pair of throughhole 246 and positioning hole 247 may be disposed side by side along thedirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of latching insert240. In such case, the distance between adjacent through holes 246 maynot be designed evenly, rather varies as appropriate according toparticular applications.

As shown in FIG. 3, insert body 244 may include a recess 243 opened fromsurface 245. In some embodiments, recess 243 may receive latching tongue232 of latching housing 230 (shown in FIG. 2) when latching housing 230engages latching positioner 250.

As shown in FIG. 3, latching positioner 250 may include a through hole256 extending in the same direction as through hole 246 in insert body244. For example, through hole 256 is aligned with through hole 246. Abolt 260 may pass through hole 256 and through hole 246 and engage witha nut 262 to fasten the latching positioner 250 with insert body 244when insert body 244 slides into latching slot 220 of rail 20. In thiscase, bolt 260 also passes through the opening 233 defined in latchingslot 220, with upper lip 222 and lower lip 224 interposed betweenlatching positioner 250 and latching insert 240. In some embodiments,through hole 256 may include a countersink hole. In such case, the headof bolt 260 may remain level with a side surface 251 of latchingpositioner 250 that is adjacent to the compartment 14 of the truck bed16. The cooperation between bolt 260 and nut 262 may provide the desiredlatching effect between latching positioner 250 and rail 20 whileavoiding excessive fastening pressure applied to rail 20 that causesdeformation thereof.

In some embodiments, insert body 244 may include a notch 248 on a sidesurface 249 opposite side surface 245. Notch 248 can receive nut 262. Insome embodiments, latching positioner 250 may include a positioning pin257 extending from a side surface 253 opposite side surface 251. In someembodiments, positioning pin 275 is aligned with positioning hole 247 ininsert body 244. Positioning pin 257 may insert into positioning hole247 in insert body 244 when latching positioner 250 engages with insertbody 244. In some embodiments, positioning pin 257 may improve thepositioning between latching positioner 250 and rail 20.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of latching positioner 250 according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, latching positioner 250 mayinclude a latching surface 252, which is structured as a concavesurface. In some embodiments, latching positioner 250 may include a sideplate 255 extending along side surface 251. In some embodiments, sideplate 255 is disposed at an inner side of latching positioner 250, whichis adjacent to compartment 14 when latching positioner 250 is assembledwith rail 20 (shown in FIG. 2). Side plate 255 may stop latching end 234(shown in FIG. 2) of latching housing 230 (shown in FIG. 2) from fallinglaterally out of engagement with latching surface 252. In someembodiments, latching positioner 250 may include protrusion 259 disposedat the upper portion of latching surface 252. In some embodiments,protrusion 259 may have a thickness of 3 mm at the end thereof.Protrusion 259 may stop latching end 234 of latching housing 230 fromdisengaging upwardly from latching surface 252 in order to improvelatching effect with latching housing 230. In some embodiments, latchingpositioner 250 may include a ramp surface 258 extending slantly downwardfrom latching surface 252. Ramp surface 258 may facilitate retaining theengagement between latching end 234 of latching housing 230 and latchingsurface 252 of latching positioner 250 by preventing latching end 234from moving downwardly.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of latching system 24, illustratinglatching housing 230 and latching positioner 250 in the latchedposition. For clarification of illustration, latching insert 240 isomitted from FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, latching end 234 of latchinghousing 230 engages latching surface 252 of latching positioner 250. Insome embodiments, latching end 234 may have a thickness of 8 mm toprovide sufficient stiffness for latching end 234. In some embodiments,latching end 234 may have a round contour to facilitate latching end 334sliding over protrusion 259 of latching positioner 250 and get intoengagement with latching surface 252 of latching positioner 250. Asshown in FIG. 5, latching housing 230 may include latching tongue 232driven by latching pin 233 (shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments,latching housing 230 may include an opening 235 disposed at a side fromwhich latching tongue 232 may pass through and extend out of latchinghousing 230. In some embodiments, the upper surface 237 of latchingtongue 232 is a planer surface, and the lower surface 236 of latchingtongue 232 is a ramp that inclines downwardly from the upper surface237. The ramp facilitates the snapping of latching tongue 232 intoengagement with latching slot 220 (shown in FIG. 2), while the planersurface of upper surface 237 may prevent latching tongue 232 fromaccidentally disengaging from latching slot 220. In some embodiments,lower surface 236 may include a round contour.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of latching system 24, illustratinglatching housing 230. As shown in FIG. 6, latching system 24 may includean end rail 30 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a latchinghousing 230 may be disposed at each end of end rail 30. In someembodiments, latching housing 230 may include a cord 238 attached tolatching pin 233. When it is desired to release latching housing 230from latching positioner 250 in order to store cover 18 in a stowedposition, one can drive latching pin 233 by drawing cord 238 to retractlatching tongue 232 out of latching slot 220. In some embodiments, endrail 30 may include an anchor structure 302 to which cord 238 isattached. In some embodiments, latching housing 230 may include aplurality of cords 238 disposed between the two latching housings 230 atboth ends of end rail 30. End rail 30 may include a plurality of anchorstructures 302 to anchor the plurality of cords 238. When it is desiredto release latching tongue 232, one may draw any section of cords 238away from end rail 30 in a direction substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of end rail 30.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view of latching system 24,illustrating latching housing 230 and latching positioner 250 in thelatched position. As shown in FIG. 7, latching end 234 of latchinghousing 230 engages latching surface 252 of latching positioner 250. Insome embodiments, latching surface 252 of latching positioner 250 may bestructured as a planer surface. Thanks to the latching tongue 232 (shownin FIG. 6) snaping into latching slot 220 (shown in FIG. 2), latchingend 234 of latching housing 230 could not disengage unintentionally fromlatching surface 252 of latching positioner 250.

While the above is a full description of the specific embodiments,various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may beused. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not betaken as limiting the scope of the present disclosure which is definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A truck cover system, comprising: a rail coupledto a wall of a truck, wherein the rail comprises a channel on a topportion of the rail and a latching slot at a side of the rail, whereinthe channel extends along a longitudinal direction of the rail and isconfigured to couple to a cover, and the latching slot extends along thelongitudinal direction of the rail; a latching insert inserted in thelatching slot, wherein the latching insert comprises a first throughhole and a positioning hole; a latching positioner fastened to thelatching insert, wherein the latching positioner comprises a secondthrough hole aligned with the first through hole and a positioning pinaligned with the positioning hole; and a latching housing releasablylatched to the latching positioner.
 2. The truck cover system of claim1, wherein the first through hole and the positioning hole are disposedalong a longitudinal direction of the latching insert and are spacedapart from each other.
 3. The truck cover system of claim 1, wherein thefirst through hole and the positioning hole are disposed along adirection perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the latchinginsert and are spaced apart from each other.
 4. The truck cover systemof claim 1, wherein the latching insert comprises a plurality of thethrough holes and a plurality of positioning holes, the plurality ofthrough holes including the first through hole.
 5. The truck coversystem of claim 1, further comprising a bolt passing through the firstthrough hole and the second through hole, and a nut engaging with thebolt.
 6. The truck cover system of claim 5, wherein the first throughhole comprises a countersink hole to receive a head of the bolt.
 7. Thetruck cover system of claim 5, wherein the latching slot comprises anupper lip and a lower lip defining an opening therebetween, wherein thebolt passes through the opening.
 8. The truck cover system of claim 7,wherein the lower lip extends along a vertical direction, and the upperlip inclines from the vertical direction.
 9. The truck cover system ofclaim 8, wherein the latching positioner comprises an inclined engagingsurface that engages with the upper lip of the latching slot.
 10. Thetruck cover system of claim 1, wherein the positioning hole comprises athrough hole.
 11. The truck cover system of claim 1, wherein thepositioning hole comprises a blind hole.
 12. The truck cover system ofclaim 1, wherein the positioning hole has a diameter different from thatof the first through hole.
 13. The truck cover system of claim 1,wherein the positioning hole has a same diameter as that of the firstthrough hole.
 14. The truck cover system of claim 1, wherein thelatching housing comprises a latching end, and the latching positionercomprises a latching surface at an end of the latching positioner,wherein the latching end engages the latching surface.
 15. The truckcover system of claim 14, wherein the latching end comprises a fingerengaging the latching surface.
 16. The truck cover system of claim 14,wherein the latching surface comprises a protrusion at a top portionthereof.
 17. The truck cover system of claim 14, wherein the latchingsurface comprises a concave surface.
 18. The truck cover system of claim1, wherein the latching housing comprises a latching tongue releasablyengaged in the latching slot of the rail.
 19. The truck cover system ofclaim 18, wherein the latching insert comprises a recess to receive thelatching tongue.
 20. The truck cover system of claim 18, wherein thelatching housing comprises a latching pin coupled to the latching tonguethrough a spring.